Guangzhou

We visited Ghangzhou in 2001. The two main tourist sites we visited were the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and the Chen Clan Ancestral Temple. Sun Yat-sen was a Chinese revolutionary who became the first president and founding father of the Republic of China ("Nationalist China") and is also referred to as the "Father of the Nation" in the Republic of China (ROC), so he has the unique position of being revered by both the Nationalist Chinese in Taiwan and Communist Chinese on the mainland! Sun played a key role in overthrowing the Qing dynasty during the Double Ten Revolution. His Memorial Hall is a good place to reflect on his life.

The Chen Clan Ancestral Temple complex consists of 19 buildings with nine halls and six courtyards, all connected by corridors. It has extremely ornate pottery ridges along the top of nine of the building, each with a theme from famous Chinese dramas. There are also wood and brick carvings on many of the building also with a Chinese theme. The work was exceptional and a joy to behold.